Theory in Anthropology Since the Sixties (1984)
Theory in Anthropology Since the Sixties (1984)
In response to the continued separation of anthropology into sub-fields, Ortner wrote this article to suggest the development of a new symbol which she calls "practice." To demonstrate the validity of this turn, she examines anthropological theory from the 1960s to the mid 1980s. I highly recommend this article for students of anthropology since it concisely explains recent theoretical trends and their contribution to the field as a whole.
Ortner claims that she began her review with the sixties because that is when she was introduced to anthropology. Appropriately then, she starts with Geertz’ and Schneider’s work in symbolic anthropology. In her summary of their work, it is easy to see their influence on her. Geertz suggested that culture was not something found in an individual’s head, but something manifested in public symbols. He emphasized the ways in which actors process their world which is also called the actor-centered approach. On the other hand, Schneider looked for "core symbols" or the internal logic of a system. Levi-Strauss was a major influence on him, and his effects obviously reached Ortner in turn.
According to Ortner, there were three major paradigms that covered anthropology at the end of the 1950s: British structural-functionalist, psychocultural, and American evolutionist. The students of these paradigms chose to strengthen particular characteristics, leading to a more refined, but broader group of sub-specialties. Besides symbolic anthropology, Ortner considers trends in cultural ecology, structuralism, structural Marxism, political economy, and Postmodernism. She alludes to the formation of a new symbol which is a culmination of these twenty years of theory. ‘Practice Theory’ which she describes in detail, has enjoyed even more exposure since this article became a classic of the anthropological canon.
more reltion with it
In response to the continued separation of anthropology into sub-fields, Ortner wrote this article to suggest the development of a new symbol which she calls "practice." To demonstrate the validity of this turn, she examines anthropological theory from the 1960s to the mid 1980s. I highly recommend this article for students of anthropology since it concisely explains recent theoretical trends and their contribution to the field as a whole.
Ortner claims that she began her review with the sixties because that is when she was introduced to anthropology. Appropriately then, she starts with Geertz’ and Schneider’s work in symbolic anthropology. In her summary of their work, it is easy to see their influence on her. Geertz suggested that culture was not something found in an individual’s head, but something manifested in public symbols. He emphasized the ways in which actors process their world which is also called the actor-centered approach. On the other hand, Schneider looked for "core symbols" or the internal logic of a system. Levi-Strauss was a major influence on him, and his effects obviously reached Ortner in turn.
According to Ortner, there were three major paradigms that covered anthropology at the end of the 1950s: British structural-functionalist, psychocultural, and American evolutionist. The students of these paradigms chose to strengthen particular characteristics, leading to a more refined, but broader group of sub-specialties. Besides symbolic anthropology, Ortner considers trends in cultural ecology, structuralism, structural Marxism, political economy, and Postmodernism. She alludes to the formation of a new symbol which is a culmination of these twenty years of theory. ‘Practice Theory’ which she describes in detail, has enjoyed even more exposure since this article became a classic of the anthropological canon.
more reltion with it